There’s nothing better than a bit of travel, some time on the water, and making memories with your kids. The Trophy Hunter Snapper Competition in Coffs delivered on all fronts.
This was my second year competing, but first with my fishing-mad son, raising the pressure on Dad to turn months of Snapper stories into actual results. We arrived a day early, scouting potential spots. With a 4am start, we headed offshore full of optimism, our reconnaissance session producing seven quality Snapper, all released, with the best fish stretching to 63cm.
Launching in the darkness for day one of competition, we headed straight for the areas that had produced during our pre-fish. The perfect plan. By 8am, we’d landed four Snapper to 67cm. As the morning progressed, we pushed deeper. Amongst the migrating whales, the youngsters stole the show, recording Snapper measuring 86cm, 85cm and 79cm on the brag mat.
Conditions changed markedly for day two, winds shifting, current picking up, and water quality deteriorating. We persevered, managing a handful of respectable Snapper to 50cm, and our consistency across the competition saw us finish in fourth place. But the real highlight was watching the two young anglers reap the rewards of their hard work to claim second and third place in the Junior Angler category.
Packing for the trip home, one thing was certain, our countdown to next year’s Trophy Hunter Snapper Comp had already begun!
What’s biting?
If you catch anything weird, wonderful or extraordinary, be sure to message Clint on Instagram @clintfishsyd